Oak Island (North Carolina) facts for kids
Oak Island beach at sunset
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 Oak Island
Location in North Carolina
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Atlantic Ocean |
| Coordinates | 33°54′37″N 78°03′38″W / 33.91028°N 78.06056°W |
| Length | 12 mi (19 km) |
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USA
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Oak Island is a beautiful island located on the Atlantic Ocean coast in Brunswick County, North Carolina. It's close to the South Carolina border. This long, thin island is called a barrier island because it helps protect the mainland from ocean storms.
The island is home to the towns of Oak Island and Caswell Beach. You'll also find Fort Caswell here, which is now a Christian retreat center. The Oak Island Coast Guard Station and the Oak Island Lighthouse are also on the island. Oak Island is almost 13 miles long and about one mile wide. Around 7,000 people live here all year, but that number can jump to over 40,000 during the summer!
Contents
Exploring Oak Island's Geography
Oak Island is about 30 miles south of Wilmington, North Carolina. It's the easternmost of the South Brunswick Islands. These islands were formed in the late 1930s. This happened when the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) was built.
The ICW is a special water path. It was dug from Southport, North Carolina near the Cape Fear River. It flows west through coastal sounds and marshes into South Carolina. Both ends of Oak Island have large marshy areas. The island also has two main waterways inside it: Davis Canal and Montgomery Slough. These flow from east to west and empty into the Lockwood Folly River. The land on Oak Island is mostly flat, but there's a 50-foot-high hill on the west end.
A Look Back at Oak Island's History
People have lived on Oak Island for a long time. Native Americans likely used the island for fishing. The first permanent settlement started in the 1830s at Fort Caswell.
Fort Caswell: From Defense to Retreat
During the American Civil War, Fort Caswell helped protect the coast for the Confederate side. Later, it was used for army training in World War I. In World War II, it became a base for patrols and communications. Since 1949, it has been a Christian retreat and conference center. In 2013, Fort Caswell and its rifle range were named a National Historic District.
Lighthouses and Life-Saving Stations
The waters around Oak Island can be dangerous for ships. Because of this, lighthouses and life-saving stations were built. One of the oldest is Old Baldy on Bald Head Island, finished in 1817. On Oak Island, the Oak Island Life Saving Station was built in 1889. This building is still standing today. It has a large lookout tower on its roof. In 1938, it was moved across the road from its original spot.
Growth and Challenges: Hurricanes and Erosion
By the 1930s, Oak Island became a popular vacation spot. Many beach cottages were built. However, Hurricane Hazel hit in 1954. It was a very powerful storm. It washed away about 350 buildings near the ocean. This was one of the worst natural disasters in North Carolina's history.
But the island recovered quickly! Development continued. The towns of Long Beach and Yaupon Beach became official towns in 1955. In 1999, they joined together to form the Town of Oak Island.
Beach erosion has been a big challenge for the island. This is when sand is washed away from the beach. In 2001, a big project added sand back to the east end of the island. Since then, more projects have helped restore the beaches. People are also working to protect the beaches and sea turtle habitats. Groups like the Oak Island Crabbies are working to stop offshore drilling.
Modern Landmarks and Bridges
The Oak Island Lighthouse started working in 1958. It's on the east end of the island. In 2004, the Town of Caswell Beach took ownership of it. In 2007, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
The first 9 holes of the Oak Island Golf Club opened in 1962. The full 18-hole course was finished in 1975. Because of how the island grew, 13 holes of the golf course are in Caswell Beach. The other five holes are in the Town of Oak Island.
As more people came to the island, better ways to get on and off were needed. A swing bridge first connected the island. But it was destroyed in 1971. A new, taller bridge, the Barbee Bridge, opened in 1975. A second tall bridge, the Swain's Cut Bridge, was finished in 2010.
Oak Island's Climate and Weather
Summers on Oak Island are hot and humid. The average temperature is around 85°F. However, sea breezes often cool the beach. Ocean water temperatures range from the 50s to the mid-80s. Winters are mild, with average temperatures in the 50s°F.
Rain falls throughout the year, with about 57 inches annually. About 45% of this rain falls between June and September. Tropical storms are a concern here. For example, between 1996 and 1999, four major hurricanes hit the area. More recently, Hurricane Matthew in 2016 and Hurricane Florence in 2018 caused significant damage.
Fun Activities on Oak Island
Oak Island is a great place for family beach vacations. But there are many other fun things to do!
Sports and Outdoor Fun
The Oak Island Golf Club is open to everyone. It has practice areas and a swimming pool for members. There are two public fishing piers that stretch into the Atlantic Ocean. You can also see many boats docked along the ICW, Davis Canal, and Montgomery Slough. These waterways are also popular for kayaking.
The Oak Island Recreation Center has indoor and outdoor exercise facilities. You can rent sports equipment there, like special beach wheelchairs with big tires.
Races and Community Events
Oak Island hosts exciting sporting events. The "Run Oak Island" Marathon happens in February. It includes a half-marathon, a 5K, and a one-mile run. In April, the Southport/Oak Island Chamber of Commerce holds the Oak Island Lighthouse Run. This race includes a half marathon, 10K, 5K, and a fun one-mile run.
The Town of Oak Island also puts on special events. They have oceanfront fireworks for the Fourth of July. There's also a parade down Oak Island Drive just before Christmas.
Tours and Learning
You can schedule tours of the Oak Island Lighthouse all year. If you want to climb to the top, you usually need to make an appointment two weeks in advance. During summer, it's best to give four weeks' notice.
The Oak Island Library also hosts many events. These include programs like "Socrates Cafe" and "Meet the Author."
